Hales went to make a quickfire 55 that stopped any thoughts of a stunning upset in their tracks.

Both Hales and Ireland-born England captain Eoin Morgan holed out off Chase, the only Ireland bowler to take wickets in a return of three for 44.

But there was never any chance of England losing, with Test captain Joe Root finishing on 49 not out.

Ireland’s first international against England in England was desperately disappointing for the visitors, who could be granted Test status next month.

But their recent 7-2 reverse across three formats against fellow Test aspirants Afghanistan in India was an indication of how the current side are struggling to match the standards of Irish teams that beat Test nations at several World Cups.

– Spin struggles continue –

Porterfield said Thursday that teenage leg-spinner Rashid Khan had been the difference in their defeats by Afghanistan.

Fellow leg-spinner Rashid caused Ireland fresh embarrassment as several batsmen played poor shots against the Yorkshireman.

Ireland were making steady progress at 81 for two but lost their last eight wickets for 45 runs as they were dismissed with a mammoth 17 overs to spare.

Yet after Porterfield won the toss, English county batsmen Joyce (Sussex) and Stirling (Middlesex) made a solid start.

Stirling’s runs came courtesy of five fours before he was bowled middle stump by paceman Mark Wood.

Ireland were now 40 for one in the sixth over and soon afterwards Joyce was lbw to David Willey.

A third-wicket stand of 35 between Porterfield and Balbirnie followed but there was no stopping the collapse once it started.

Gary Wilson (one) was then lbw to Rashid to leave Ireland 93 for five.

Six years ago Kevin O’Brien rescued Ireland from a similarly dire position of 111 for five with the fastest ever World Cup hundred as his blistering 113 set up a memorable win over England in Bangalore.

But he has come nowhere near those heights since and he was lbw for four, failing to pick Rashid’s googly.

And when Rashid had Murtagh caught in the deep, Ireland were all out in a mere 33 overs.